An overview on trends and development of niosomes as drug delivery

Abstract

Niosomes or non ionic surfactant are microscopic lamellar structures which may be unilamellar or multilamellar. These are amphiphillic in nature, hence capable of entrapping both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs for their controlled delivery. Niosomes are formulated by hydration of the lipid by the aqueous phase which may be either single surfactant or a mixture of surfactant with cholesterol. Stability of niosomes is greater as compared with other novel drug delivery techniques. Niosomes are widely used for delivery of many drugs especially in treatment of life threatening diseases, site specific targeting can be achieved with niosomes, and they are also used in diagnostic imaging purpose. This study is based upon the recent advances by which niosomes can be formulated and their application in controlled and effective delivery of variousdrugs. Niosomes represent a promising drug delivery module. They present a structure similar to liposome and hence they can represent alternative vesicular systems with respect to liposomes, due to the niosome ability to encapsulate different type of drugs within their multi environmental structure. Niosomes are thoughts to be better candidate's drug delivery as compared to liposomes due to various factors like cost, stability etc. Various types of drug deliveries can be possible using niosomes like targeting, ophthalmic, topical, parenteral, etc.